EBBA 32720
National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
M. Manlius Capitolinus.
Nescia mens hominum Fati, sortisq; futurae
Et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis!
Turno tempus erit, magno cum optaverit emptum
Intactum Pallanta, & cum spolia ista, diemq;
Oderit------ Virg. AEn. 10.
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AMBITION is a Plant, that's always found
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To root the deepest in the richest Ground;
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Fair to the Sight the op'ning Blossoms rise;
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The Fruit's forbidden, and who tastes it, dies.
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This, Manlius, was thy Guilt, this urg'd thy Doom,
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Once styl'd Retriever of invaded Rome.
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When thy successful Arms oppos'd the Gaul,
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Jove to thy Care consign'd his Capitol.
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But black Designs obscur'd thy rising Fame,
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And quickly left thee nothing but the Name:
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Else mightst thou still in Camps have loll'd at Ease,
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Fat with the Spoils of plunder'd Provinces;
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Still the brib'd Senate, and the frantick Crowd,
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With Votes and Ballads, had thy Deeds avow'd:
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But 'twas too fierce an Ardor for Renown,
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T'aspire to Regal Purple, and a Crown--------
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That Rock which gave thee Glory, prov'd thy Doom,
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And was at once thy Trophy, and thy Tomb.
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Sold by John Morphew, near Stationer's Hall, 1712.
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